Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I don’t know anything about running big parties. I don’t know any French delegations, much less important business people. I don’t have a black book filled with powerful names and numbers.
Robin does. That’s what Finn needs.
Instead, he’s got me, a girl from a little West Virginia town that barely escaped her family alive.
I feel so inadequate.
But I lift my chin and push my feelings away as hard as I can.
I need to be strong for Finn. I can’t make this process any harder than it’s already going to be, otherwise I’m only going to make his life that much more miserable.
If I want this to succeed, and I really do, then it’s time to grow up.
“Dara, do me a favor,” Finn says, turning away from Robin for a moment. “Find Genna for me and tell her the club’s closed next Friday. Tell her to get the Crowley captains to make an appearance. Clive will love that.”
“Right. Genna. Closed. Captains.” I glance at Robin. “You two are good?”
“We’re good,” Finn murmurs, already turning back to her as they start discussing a page in her notebook filled with scrawled names.
I turn away from them.
Chin up, head high, no pity parties today.
I march off to do my job without looking back, not even once, which feels like a win.
Chapter 34
Dara
The next week is spent either at home in Finn’s apartment or in Club Hazard during the day when it’s empty save for Robin, Genna, a team of vendors, several guys from Finn’s crew including Shane, and little old me.
The jealousy fades. It doesn’t disappear—I can’t help but think that Robin would’ve made such a good wife for a guy like Finn—but it eases enough that it doesn’t bother me when they get lost in talking about people and things I’ve never even heard of before.
It helps that every night I end up in Finn’s bed with his arms wrapped around my body, his insatiable hands and mouth exploring me in ways I’ve never been explored before.
On Thursday evening, the day before the party, I lounge upstairs in the VIP area with Finn while his guys and Robin put the finishing touches on the space. I have my feet in his lap and he’s staring down at the commotion, his face unreadable.
“Looks like you pulled it together,” I say softly, leaning forward to touch his cheek.
“Barely,” he says, turning to me, forcing a smile. “But it’s happening either way.”
“You’re not happy.”
“I’m happy you’re going to be safe. That should be enough.”
“What’s bothering you?”
He hesitates, but his shoulders slump slightly as he leans toward me. “You know, all my life, I’ve been telling myself a story. In that story, I’m not only a Crowley, but a man with his own wants, and dreams, and desires. A man that can build whatever he wants with his own two hands. Now looking around, it’s so obvious how much help I’ve had.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
His head tilts side to side. “I don’t know,” he admits. “I wanted to think that I’ve been successful in business because I am who I am and not because of my family name. Now I wonder.”
“Can’t it be both?” I shift so I’m sitting right next to him, leaning against his chest. “There are a lot of people out there with good family names, but you’re the one with the string of successful clubs. You should be proud of that.”
“I am, which is why I hate the idea of giving them away.”
“You don’t have to, you know. We can find some other way.”
He wraps an arm around me. “No, we can’t, and it’s okay. I’ve made my peace with it.” He takes a deep breath. “Now, let me ask you something. Are you still jealous of Robin?”
I laugh, pushing him back, and he’s grinning. “Yes and no,” I admit. “In some ways, yes, because she really is the sort of girl you probably thought you’d end up with.”
He inclines his head. “I won’t deny it.”
“But in other ways, not at all. She’s clearly not interested and neither are you.”
“Also very true.”
“It’s just my insecurities. I wish I could be strong and not let any of this stuff get to me, but your family is impressive and it’s just—”
He touches my cheek. “I’ll keep saying it until you hear me, love. My family doesn’t matter.”
“But they do.” I put my hand over his. “That’s why we’re doing all this, right?”
“Throwing a birthday party for an old man, you mean? Yes, pretty much.”
I snort-laugh. “God, that’s what this is, right? An old man’s birthday party.”
“Complete with cake and sparkly hats. Damn, did you blow up the balloons?”
“No balloons. I don’t want anyone getting hurt trying to pop them.”
“Safety first. I respect that.” He leans forward and kisses me gently. “Can I tell you something?”
“Please do.”